Let’s Play, Wicklow 2026: Free Family Play Events this July
July 2, 2026
Explore Wicklow: Join Us for Wicklow Outdoors Week 2026
Join us from 10 to 16 August for a fantastic week dedicated to connecting with nature, trying new activities, and embracing an active lifestyle.
Building on the incredible energy of HER Outdoors Week in previous years, we are keeping the summer momentum going by expanding the campaign into an all-inclusive week for the whole community. Open to both men and women, this is your invitation to escape to the fresh air, whether you want to try a new sport for the first time or simply enjoy the great outdoors. Our county-wide lineup is packed with beginner-friendly activities for all ages, abilities, and fitness levels.
Explore Anytime with the Wicklow Trails App
Need inspiration? Download the Wicklow Trails App for a free, easy-to-use guide to our county’s stunning landscapes. It features interactive maps, route details, and safety tips to help you get outdoors confidently and consistently.
Greystones Beach Festival: Save the Date!
A major highlight of the week is the return of the Greystones Beach Festival at Greystones South Beach on Thursday, 13 August from 4pm to 8pm. Please save the date for this fantastic evening, with the full schedule and booking details coming very soon.
Now in its third year, this vibrant, family-friendly event will feature a brilliant mix of free and low-cost activities:
- Beach Sports: Try your hand at beach volleyball, sailing, and more on the sand.
- Wellness Zone: This year, we’ve teamed up with the Greystones Wellness Hub to offer relaxing sessions like Yoga and a sunset sound bath.
- Family Fun: Plenty of free entertainment for the kids, including sensory play and face painting.
Stay tuned: the full line-up and registration details will go live very soon!
What’s On
Intro to Trail Running
- Date: Monday, 10 August
- Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Meeting point at The Bandstand, Bray Promenade
- Suited for: Open to everyone aged 18+ (Perfect for complete beginners!)
Join She Summits founder Alicia Christofi-Walshe for a relaxed, beginner-friendly trail run. You’ll learn basic techniques, pacing, and gear tips before heading out for a gentle, scenic run around Bray.
Intro to Bouldering
- Date: Monday, 10 August
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Location: Meeting point at Glendalough Visitor Centre
- Suited for: Anyone new to bouldering or looking to progress from indoor climbing to outdoors
This practical workshop is based in the beautiful valleys of Glendalough. You will learn essential movement skills, climbing techniques, outdoor safety tips, and general bouldering ethics to help you build confidence on the rock in a safe and fun environment.
Intro to Sea Swimming
- Date: Tuesday, 11 August
- Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Location: Beach Crest, Arklow
- Suited for: Beginners aged 16+ (Ideal for sea dippers and nervous swimmers)
This relaxed taster session focuses on open water safety, floating, breathing techniques, and front crawl basics. It is the perfect opportunity to build your confidence and learn to swim in the sea at a supportive pace.
Intro to Sailing
- Date: Tuesday, 11 August
- Times:
- 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
- 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM
- Location: Bray Sailing Club, Bray Seafront
- Suited for: Beginners aged 16+
This friendly taster session gets you out on the water with a qualified instructor. Meet the team, explore the boats, and experience the thrill of learning the basics of sailing. Please wear suitable footwear and clothes you don’t mind getting wet.
Discover the Mountain Environment Hike
- Date: Tuesday, 11 August
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Location: Meeting point at Glendalough Visitor Centre
- Suited for: Anyone interested in a scenic 10km hike and learning about local nature
Explore a beautiful 10km route from Glendalough up to Camaderry (540m ascent) over tracks and rough ground. This guided hike includes plenty of stops to discover the natural environment, flowers, and rock features of the Wicklow Mountains, with lots of great photo opportunities.
Intro to Trail Running
- Date: Tuesday, 11 August
- Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Lackan, Blessington (West Wicklow)
- Suited for: Adults (18+) who are completely new to trail running or looking to build confidence on trails
Join She Summits founder Alicia Christofi-Walshe for a relaxed, beginner-friendly trail running meet-up. This session offers a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors, learn the basics of running on natural terrain, and meet others with a shared interest in adventure. Alicia will share practical tips on technique, pacing, and essential gear, before leading the group on a gentle run along the scenic trails of Lackan.
Intro to Rowing
- Date: Tuesday, 11 August
- Times:
- 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
- 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Location: Wicklow Rowing Club, Wicklow Town
- Cost: €3
- Suited for: Beginners (13+) interested in trying rowing for the first time
Wicklow Rowing Club is hosting an introductory rowing session. Designed specifically for beginners, this taster session is a friendly and rewarding way to learn the basics, build outdoor fitness, and dip your oars in the water for the first time. Please wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting wet, suitable footwear, and bring sunscreen and a raincoat.
Intro to Sea Swimming
- Date: Wednesday, 12 August
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Bray Seafront
- Suited for: Beginners aged 16+ (Ideal for sea dippers and nervous swimmers)
This relaxed taster session focuses on open water safety, floating, breathing techniques, and front crawl basics. It is the perfect opportunity to build your confidence and learn to swim in the sea at a supportive pace.
Greystones Beach Festival
- Date: Thursday, 13 August
- Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Greystones South Beach
- Suited for: All ages and fitness levels (Family-friendly!)
Join us for a fantastic day of free beachside sports, activities, and wellness sessions at Greystones. There is something for everyone, from music and wellness activities to dedicated fun for kids, including face painting. Whether you want to try out a new sport, enjoy the coastal views, or bring the family down for a fun day out by the sea, we have you covered.
Full event timings, activity schedules, and registration details will be announced shortly.
Intro to Sea Swimming
- Date: Thursday, 13 August
- Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Greystones South Beach
- Suited for: Beginners aged 16+ (Ideal for sea dippers and nervous swimmers)
As part of the Greystones Beach Festival celebrations, we are hosting a beachside intro to swimming taster session. Reassuring and beginner-friendly, the instructor will cover open water safety, floating, breathing, and basic front crawl to help you transition from dipping to swimming confidently.
Hiking with Your Phone
- Date: Friday, 14 August
- Time: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh / Glendalough
- Suited for: Hikers looking to upgrade their mountain navigation skills using digital tech
Led by qualified Mountaineering Ireland instructors, this practical one-day course teaches you how to confidently use the HiiKER app for digital route planning, grid references, offline mapping, and mountain safety. Includes a focused indoor morning session followed by practical navigation practice out on the hills.
Intro to Activator Poles
- Date: Saturday, 15 August
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Enniskerry Carnegie Library, Enniskerry
- Suited for: Adults of all fitness levels, including those looking for a gentle full-body workout, improved posture, joint-friendly exercise, or extra balance and stability.
Join us for a free, supportive session to discover the benefits of walking with Activator poles. This introductory walk will guide you through simple techniques to help you engage your upper body, improve your posture, and walk with greater stability—all while keeping things gentle on your knees, hips, and lower back. It is a fantastic, joint-friendly way to boost your confidence on the move. Even better, following this session, Activator poles will be available to borrow from all Wicklow library branches, making it easier than ever to keep active in your own time.
📢 Get involved in Wicklow Outdoors Week
Are you running an outdoor activity or hosting a dedicated event during Wicklow Outdoors Week? Local clubs, gyms, and groups are invited to submit their details. Fill out our form and we’ll add your event to this schedule and promote it across our networks!